Means for counting conversations at telephone-exchanges.



J. H. MEYER. MEANS FOR COUNTING CONVERSATIONS AT TELEPHONE EXCHANGES.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 12, 1907. 921 29, Patented May 11, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITN ES$ES INVENTOR ATTORNEYS J. H. MEYER. MEANS FOR COUNTINGCONVERSATIONS AT TELEPHONE EXGHANGES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 12; 1907.

Patented-May 11, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

IQWENTOR MTNEStsES m ,6. 2 6' ATTORNEYS nnrrnn sr 4 FREE.

JOHANN HEINRICH MEYER, Ol MAGDEBURG, GERMANY.

MEANS FOR COUNTING CONVERSATIONS AT TELEPHONE-EXCHANGES" To all whom itmay concern:

Be it known that I, JOHANN HEINRICH MEYER, a subject of the Emperor ofGermany, residing at and whose post-oilice address is Sternstrasse 8,liiagdeburg, in th German Empire, have invented Means for CountingConversations at Telephone-EX- changes, of which the following is aspecification.

The present invention has for its object a conversation counter intelephone exchanges for local business. it consists of a countercircuit-closer connected with the speaking and call change-over switch,a relay and incandescent lamp, and of the counting mech anism properwith a circuit breaker.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood reference is madeto the accompanying drawing in which one embodiment is shown by way ofexample, and in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of the counter circuit closer arranged onthe speaking change-over switch, Fig. 1 is a plan view of the part adetached. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same, and Fig. 2 is asection on the line ;,r.@;, Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is a diagram of theconnections of the devices at the exchange.

The change-over switch is operated by moving the lever l'l over to theleft (Fig. l) for speaking, and to the right for calling the, centralposition is the normal position and for through transmission. Forobtaining the current for counting the lower fork-shaped arm 9 of thelever H is lengthened by an additional piece or arm A, further, thereare two holders T and T rigidly screwed to and insulated from theangle-piece N, of which T carries the contact-lever h: H and thecounter-lever Z H, and T carries three contact-springs, namely, f withthe top piece (6, f and f wl'iereas both holders serve for guiding theshaft of the press-button D.

When the lever H is placed in the call position the a'm A drives thecontact-lever K H and, by means of the pin 1;, the counterlever Z Halso, and pushes the pointed end of the contact-lever K H on to thetop-pie e (1, thus making a conducting connection be tween K H and f. Inthis position the lovers remain, una'flected by the further movements ofthe switch-lever H, until they are returned into their normal positionfor the purpose of counting by a short pressure on the button Z ofthecounter-lever Z H, so that the contact K H simultaneously is opened,again.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. May 11,1909.

Serial No. 383,479.

The press-button D is provided so that the preparation for counting,which is eiiected automatically, can be done away with at any timewithout a count taking place, the contact 71' between the springs f andJ being opened first when the button is pressed, whereby thecounter-battery is cut out then the spring f is depressed causing thecontact K H to open and the two levers to return into their normalpositions under the action of the spring F The relay is of the usualkind and its mode of action may be seen from the diagram of connectionsshown in Fig. 3. The relay closes a circuit for the current from thecentral battery to the count ing-niechanisin by means of a flow ofcurrent eiiected automatically by the circuit-closer, until, byswitching the counter-lever Z H, the short-circuit which is made throughthis to the counter-mechanism is removed, and the cQuilter-mechanism,which thereby receives current, is switched on one unit which theappertaining incandescent lamp indicates.

The counter-mechanism differs from counters of the usual kind only byits being provided with a circuit-breaker which cuts out the relay andextinguishes the counter-lamp. A. counter-mechanism is arranged on eachsubscribers line, whereas only each pair of cords which. are used forconnecting the lines together is provided with a counter circuitcloserand relay.

In the diagram of connections the counter is shown in connection with amultiple switchboard for central-battery operation.

The counting of the conversation is efiected after the call of thedesired subscriber is ended, and alter the subscriber has come to theapparatus and has taken up the receiver from the automatic hook forconducting the conversation. The counting is eflected as follows: Whenthe call-lamp A lights up, the operator connects himself with the apparatus by inserting the answering-plug A S into the spring-jack K andturning the change-over switch H to the left (Fig. 1). After theoperator has ascertained the num ber of the desired subscriber and hasfound that the line is clear and has switched the same into circuit, heplaces the lever into the call position to the right; the contact K H isthen closed by the arm A (Fig. 1); the counterdever Z H is placed onthetop-piece a and does not then participate any more in the furthermovements of the lever. In consequence of the closing of the contact KH,

the central battery, which is used in common for counting, isshort-circuited across the relay Z B (Fig. 3) the contacts k and closeand the counter-lamp ZZ lights up. Accordingly, if the called subscriberhas gone to his apparatus and has removed the receiver from theautomatic hook, the controllamp S1 becomes extinguished, when the leverH again reaches its normal position, and the count can take place. Ifthis is not the case, the operator calls up again, and if the desiredsubscriber does not answer the second call also, the operator changesover into the answering position in order to acquaint the callingsubscriber about it.

Counting is eflected by the operator returning the counter-lever Z Hinto its normal position, while he presses against the button of thislever Z H. The latter moves under the action of the spring F (Figs. 1and 2) and thereby opens the contact K H. The current then flows fromthe negative pole of the battery over the contact is, relay Z R, contactk answering plug A S, spring jack K through the counting mechanism Z,contact 7C3 and back to the positive pole of the battery. The contact isstill closed and consequently still lights up the counterlamp. Thecounter-mechanism attracts its armature, and the latter moves thecounterdisks on one unit, and at the end of its movement automaticallyinterrupts the above described circuit, whereupon both thecountermechanism and the relay become without current and the armaturesreturn into the normal position shown in the drawing. The counter-lampgoes out as a signal for the operator that the count has taken place.

An uncertain or too short time of contact for the advance for thecountingnnechanism cannot take place likewise it is impossible for acount to be made again by mistake, as this can only be effected byreturning the change-over switch-lever into the call position for whichno occasion arises; in addition to this a disturbance of the connectionwould be brought about. Lastly, counting cannot be omitted, becauseuntil it is effected the counter-lamp is continuously illuminated.

If for any reason the count is not intended to take place, for example,if the operator has connected by mistake with some one other than thedesired subscriber, and therefore the succeeding correct connection neednot be accounted to the calling subscriber, the operator presses on thebutton D, the consequence of which is that the counter-battery is cutout of circuit and the levers return into their normal position withoutthe counter-mechanism being moved on.

Vl hat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patentis 1. In a telephone-exchange system, the combination of a source ofcurrent, a switchlever connected with one pole of the latter,

1 a lamp-circuit and a counter-mechanism cir-' cuit, and a relay adaptedto close said circuits, a contact connected with one end of the windingof said relay and adapted to be contacted by said switch-lever, a secondcontact connected with the other end of the winding of said relay, and athird contact connected with the other pole of said source of currentand normally contacting the latter contact, as set forth.

2. In a telephone-exchange system, the combination of a source ofcurrent, a switchlever connected with one pole of the latter, a lampcircuit and a counter mechanism circuit and a relay adapted to closesaid circuits, said counter mechanism having an electromagnet, with acoil adapted to be connected with one end to the armature of said relay,a contact of said relay adapted to be contacted by said armature andconnected with one end of the winding of said relay, the other end ofsaid coil adapted to be connected with said pole of said source ofcurrent, a contact connected with one end of the winding of said relayand adapted to be contacted by said switch-lever, a second con tactconnected with the other end of the winding of said relay, and a thirdcontact connected with the other pole of said source of current andnormally contacting the latter contact, as set forth.

3. In a telephone-exchange system, the combination of a source ofcurrent, a switchlever connected with one pole of the latter, a lampcircuit and a counter mechanism circuit and a relay adapted to closesaid circuits, said counter mechanism having an electromagnet, and acoil adapted to be connected with one end to the armature of said relay,a contact of said relay adapted to be contacted by said armature andconnected with one end of the winding of said relay, a'circuit breakeradapted to be actuated by said electromagnet connected with the latterand with said pole of said source of current, a contact connected withone end of the winding of said relay and adapted to becontacted by said.switch-lever, a second contact connected with the other end 01' thewinding of said relay, and a third contact connected with the other poleof said source of current and normally contacting the latter contact, asset forth.

1. in a telephone-exchange system, in combination, a source of current,a switchlever connected with one pole of the latter, a lamp circuit anda counter mechanism circuit and a relay adapted to close said circuits,said counter mechanism having an electromagnet, and a coil adapted to beconnected with one end to the armature of said relay, a contact of saidrelay adapted to be contacted by said armature and connected with oneend of the winding of said relay, the other end of said coil adapted tobe connected with said pole of said source of current, another contacton said relay connected with said pole of said source of current, asecond armature on said relay adapted to contact the latter contact, alamp connected with the latter armature and connected with the otherpole of said source of current, a contact, connected with one end of thewinding of said relay and adapted to be contacted by said switchlever,another contact connected with the other end of the winding of saidrelay, and another contact connected with the other pole of said sourceof current and normally contacting the latter contact, as set forth, forthe purpose specified.

5. In a telephone-exchange system, the combination of a source ofcurrent, a switchlever connected with one pole of the latter, a lampcircuit and a counter-mechanism circuit, and a relay adapted to closesaid circuits, a contact connected with one end of the winding of saidrelay and adapted to be contacted by said switch-lever, a second contactconnected with the other end of the winding of said relay, a thirdcontact connected with the other pole of said source of current andnormally contacting the latter contact, and means for preventing saidthird contact from contacting said second contact, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHANN HEINRICH MEYER.

-Witnesses JoHANNEs STEIN, HENRY I'IASPER.

